Any Reviews and Experiences with LG screen LP173WF1 (as built stock in my new x7200) ?

Hi all,

Just got my x7200 yesterday . See signature for configuration.

I was very surprised to see that my system was equiped with an LG screen (LP173WF1-TLC1) instead of the Hannstar (HSD173PUW1) that I read about in all the reviews.

All the reviews that I read previous to purchase were VERY positive about the Hannstar screen. However, I never saw a review with the LG screen. Therefore I am very interested in the following:

- objective quality and performance comparison of the LG screen and the originally used Hannstar screen
- is this a screen suitable for a high-end system like the x7200 ?
- reviews of the LG screen
- other users with the LG screen and their experiences with it
- is it normal practice that suddenly another screen model is used ?

In the meantime I know that several other European customers got this screen (all orders after early December) and it seems that the Hannstar is not returning in the x7200...

My first impression after first starting the system up yesterday night was: very bright and clear screen, but a solid black screen seems not really black but more grey-ish and also quite dependent on the (vertical) viewing angle. Very different from my current clevo m57ru and also compared to my HP Probook work-notebook...

I am really hoping for your info, experiences and advice in this issue

 

Hi cyberhank,

I guess this thread is a bit old but I'm interested in the topic so I'm gonna post anyway. On the 11th of this month I got my new laptop, a Clevo X7200/Sager NP7280 from Kobalt Computers. I was/am really excited about it however almost immediately I noticed the crappy quality of the screen.

Now I've been doing some research, found out that the display is indeed the LG LP173WF1-TLC1, which got terrible reviews Review mySN XMG U700 ULTRA GTX 470M SLI Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

I'm looking for ways to swap to a higher quality screen..

 

so anyone have other page of this??

if can put a 1080p 120hz 3d screen will be so good^^

 

That's not a page from my manual, therefore I assume it's not a page from the Clevo X7200 manual at all.. However, good point, I didn't think about checking the manual about upgrading guides, I see now it has some interesting tutorials on upgrading various parts, not the display though.

Ok, I just realised there's a whole other thread dedicated to the topic here http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...sembly-display-clevo-p170hm-sager-np8170.html

 

It's a page from the Service Manual.

Complete Service Manual is here. Page #3.

 

Thanks for the link, I got that manual, I don't know why I have a different version... (PS: I'm about to reply to you on that other thread in a minute)

 

No, it is not . The screen is unimpressive to say the least - in terms of everything. Its mediocre contrast values and bad color balance could be somewhat helped - but most fluctuations from stock values regrettably result at severe banding issues and certain ugly artifacts.

Nevertheless, a system like the x7200 is an unique offer, so it is pretty much seller's market as of today. They definitely should have used a much better screen - but well they decided not to - it is a take it or leave it situation.

It was no deal breaker for me, since I use two external monitors anyway and I also intend to swap the stock screen for a better one.

Luckily, both Mythlogic and XoticPC offer screen options available upon order. Mythlogic does an in-house screen calibration as well - which is a great addition indeed.

 

I was going to write something, but just saw you already found my post in the thread here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/563252-how-disassembly-display-clevo-p170hm-sager-np8170.html#post7297189. Like I mentioned: I am VERY happy with my AUO screen

 

Will a reseller replace the screen with a higher end one for us before shipment if we request/pay?

 

Hey cyberhank, I was reading that other long thread with the guide, and I see someone mentions having to reinstall the proper drivers after swapping screens. Did you have to do anything like that? Was your system aware that there was different hardware?

And one more thing.. As I read that some people bought from some resellers but got similar or "compatible" screens to the ones they were actually hoping for, I was wondering.. regardless of who you buy from, once you get the panel, how do you actually check that it's what you paid for? Is there like the serial number on it or something?

 

Control Panel > Device Manager > Monitors > Generic PnP Monitor - right click it for Properties, then go to Details tab, and choose Hardware IDs from the dropdown list.

But I doubt it a lot, that any one of the major dealers / resellers would ever try to intentionally replace the more expensive display you have ordered with a cheaper one . I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

What might be a good idea nevertheless is to make sure what panel exactly you will be getting... I mean a matte LG is still an LG, right? .

 

How do I get the model name from a hardware ID?

About the checking that the panel is the correct one, isn't there a way to know it before you mount it? Well I don't know if I'm being paranoid, the thing is that here http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...cial-swapping-xps-17-l701x-screen-thread.html it says a couple of retailers didn't ship what they actually were supposed to.

Now, I made my mind up on what panel I want, the AUO B173HW01 V4 and I have two places where to buy it. From here B173HW01 V4 - Kuzotronic.com where most of you got it from, for £135, or from here AU OPTRONICS B173HW01 V.4 17.3 DELL for £116.94, both prices including shipment to Italy.

 

Make sure the seller says "EXACT", and not "compatible".

 

Just a quick note, that you need to be very careful when replacing a screen on any laptop as any damage caused by incorrect installation or removal will not normally be covered by warranty

Pman

 

I was hoping for a more technical proof. If they can send the wrong item, why can't they also just say that it's the correct one?
Again, you guys pointed out to check the hardware ID, but how to get the model's name out of the hardware ID? Or, doing the other way round, what's the hardware ID of the AUO B173HW01 V4?

And:

Pman, I see you're from Kobalt, where I bought my G970X. You know, I was actually kinda pissed at Kobalt in the beginning for selling out such powerful machines with such a crap screen, but I understand now that you guys just resell the Clevo barebones and the LCD panel comes with it. So ok, I understand that Kobalt has got nothing to do with the quality of the display, but I guess you guys could at least make customers that spend thousands of pounds/euros aware of the specifications of the display, so that they know what they are getting once they decide to spend their money, and don't get any surprise and don't complain later. And, I'll be EXTREMELY careful with the panel installation. Thanks for the concern

 

Guys, come check what kind of customer service I found at this particular reseller, I posted the entire thing in this other thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...ps-17-l701x-screen-thread-65.html#post7311749

 

I have to say that we have had nothing but compliments about the screens on the G970x, aside from the performance of the machines its the most common thing for people to say they are impressed with!

 

Yes, but I think it's cause up to some time ago there was a different screen coming with the X7200, the Hannstar HSD173PUW1, while now the barebones coem with the LG LP173WF1-TLC1. Check this review here: Review mySN XMG U700 ULTRA GTX 470M SLI Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
"The display has in the past been one of the Clevo Barebone's greatest strengths. In our last review, the mySN XMG U700 ULTRA was furnished with the high-quality Hannstar HSD173PUW1 display with a black value of under 0.2 cd/m² and an excellent contrast of over 1000:1. It's a mystery to us why Clevo has now chosen to swap out this good display. In short, the LG LP173WF1-TLC1 panel in place here is several grades below the Hannstar."
In that review it's not a Kobalt, but as we know it's based on the same Clevo model. So, perhaps all the compliments you guys received refer to when that other screen was used? Not that I've got all the data in hand to say, but I would think that's the case. Cause over here, I haven't seen anyone praising the LG LP173WF1-TLC1, only people going to spend more money just to get rid of it, like me.

 

With all this talk going around I am inclined to purchase my next barebone without a LCD and buy the LCD display later. I know a company nearby who can get me the exact display I want...

 

How do you get your barebone without the LCD? I didn't know that the resellers are actually installing the LCD before shipping.

 

I think he means for those vendors that let you choose an upgraded screen, to skip that and just get the basic screen.

Question to everyone.. What would be the best screen to replace the x7200's LG with?? It looks like I'll be ordering a screen separate and paying to have mine replaced.

 

check my last post here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...mbly-display-clevo-p170hm-sager-np8170-2.html

PS: all of us "LG LP173WF1-TLC1-unhappy" should gather and make an official complaint to Clevo, the resellers that don't say how crap the screen is, and make a petition to destroy all existing screens of this type left in the world. Or something like that.

 

I see that the AU Optronics B173HW01 v4 is lookin like the best screen option.

 

Im not going to get into a "its good its bad" arguement only to say that I have been using one of our G970x's with that screen and cant see a problem, None of our other customers have said anything but praise for the screens that come with the G970x, even those that have the same screen as the one you guys dont like.

I would also re-iterate that not only for our customers but everyone, Clevo, dell whoeever that by removing the screen you risk invalidating your warranty.

 

Pman, just see this picture here, it's from another user but it's the same LG screen that all of us are unhappy with. I don't see how that can look good. And there's no picture I can take to show it, but I can clearly see thin horizontal lines running from side to side in the whole monitor area.
If you check the specs for this screen, among the other things you will see that it has an extremely limited viewing angle (exactly 10/30/40/40 up/down/left/right in degrees). That makes it so that there is no real good viewing angle for this screen, unless you keep your head perfectly still in front of the center of the monitor.

Also, could you perhaps send some links to where people have been praising this (the LG) screen?

 

Well, let me offer some assistance:



Tastes differ indeed, Pman, nevertheless I can definitely see a problem and I do have a problem with what the picture above illustrates. Clevo stock panel might appear to be a superb, high-end lcd screen to you (no problem with that) - yet it might be way less for another person using the laptop.

I guess it also explains all those customers which did not say anything but praise for the LP173WF1-TLC1. There are, indeed, worse screens around - and I've seen quite a few. Yet, since we are unaware of whichever panels those customers were using before - we cannot do anything with the information, since it fails to prove anything at all (at least for me).

Once again - the LP173WF1-TLC1 is not the most abysmal lcd panel ever made. But does it make it suitable for an expensive, unique, custom piece of equipment? Not even close.

I have no doubt that I will eventually pay whatever amount it takes to get rid of the LP173WF1-TLC1 screen (and I do not even use the laptop display at all). My support for Ignorant's cause ends here, though - since the only petition I am willing to send Clevo - is the one full of praise and admiration, the amount of thought, research and innovation implemented in their computers can scarcely be overestimated. The screen is crappy - that is true, but pioneers of technology are entitled to whatever whims they see fit.

 

Cortomaltese, did you make that comparing picture yourself? If so, how? The best way I had to compare two pictures as seen outside the monitor was to take a picture with a digital camera, but that didn't come out really good.
The whole petition story was more sarcastic that anything else, but I do wish that Kobalt would had let me know what kind of screen I was going to get.

 

Yep, merely used my communicator cam The pic is merely intended to give the overall idea - so I thought any quality would succeed.

Well, XoticPC gave me the exact information on the panel upon request - so I totally knew what to expect, and the screen replacement was decided upon long before I received the notebook .

 

I can't send you links as they have been comments in emails to our company, my main point was that no one has ever complained about the screens before now.

If anyone wants to know which screens are in the chassis before purchasing then we will be more than happy to provide this information. Similarly if you want to upgrade the screen we do offer this option - for example you can upgrade to an AUO B173HW01 v4 glossy panel if you wish!

 

So now it sounds more like no one has complained about this screen rather than people actually praising it. Already different. Also, maybe nobody complained about the screens up to now cause now it's when the first X7200 have started being shipped with the LG rather than the Hannstar?

Yes, I understand I could have asked Kobalt about the specs of the screen, but what I meant was that I wish Kobalt would let customers know the specifications of the display by listing them in the Tech Specs page here, rather than just listing "Screen: 17.3" Full HD 16:9 1920 x 1080 LED Backlit X-Glass Screen".

(Oh and, Pman, not that I was gonna make an issue with customer service about this, but since we're here, where's my Kensington Lock? It didn't come with the laptop but it's listed in the Tech Specs page.)

For how much?

 

I'm not affiliated with Kobalt, but the Kensington Lock port is on the right side near the back. See page 1-12 of the x7200 user's manual.

 

Woops! Well that is my bad then, sorry Pman. I thought it was supposed to be included the actual metal wire. I see it's just the slot to attach the wire to.
It confused me the fact that the Tech Specs page says "1 x Kensington Lock" without the word "port" at the end, unlike the other ports/slots, so I didn't think it was a slot, but the actual Kensington Lock itself.

 

Pman?? Huh? Whatcha talkin 'bout?

In any case, look at the table in the link you provided, the item is clearly listed under the heading "Rear Ports." Dunno if you were confused by that one as the other items in the table were marked as ports. In any case, glad it is clear to you now that it is the slot.

 

I think he was refering to asking me where the lock was

But you got on the reply before I came online next

Regarding the screen, if you fire an email off to our sales guys they will be able to give you a price for the screen

Pman

 

Yeah, sorry for the additional confusion jclausius, I was saying sorry to Pman cause I was telling him I didn't get the Kensington Lock, but I was wrong of course.

Pman, just sent a support ticket to your sales departement.

 

A few days back we were in need of a matte screen for P170HM to be delivered asap to our office.

Anyway after a quick google we found a european online store that seemed to be good so I sent an email.

To my surprise I thought I recognized the name of my "clerk", from this forum, so I just had to find the right thread. Before you read further you'd better read Ignorant's experience to understand the context.

Anyway, enlightened by his previous experience I was patient and tried to be precise in my questions.

Here is my correspondence and the conclusion is that I was generally satisfied with the way my inquiry was handled. She replied fast and answered my questions to the best of her ability. Obviously she isn't a technician but there's an improvement (compared to when Ignorant spoke to her) as she was able to give a clear answer concerning the polarizer and specific model in stock. In the end, we didn't order the screen because we needed a matte type, and had no polarizer filters in stock, but we wouldn't hesitate to order from them in the future.

Her: April 7 12:11

Gloss only available


Me: April 7 11:47

Thankyou, is this screen delivered as matte or glossy/glare? (Matte/glare/glossy is referring to the surface or more specific polarization filter)

Kind regards,
Ton

Her: April 7 11:40

Hello Ton

We have this part in stock
Don’t have exact – I have tl c1


Me: April 7 11:02

The display will be fitted into a Clevo P170HM.

Kind regards,

Ton

Her: 7 April 10:58

Hello Tom
Which machine is this part from please?

Me: April 6 23:31

Is the following screen delivered as matte?
Also is there an inverter included?
Final question, is this screen in stock because I am not interested in "compatible" models.

LG LP173WF1(TL)(B2)

Kind regards,
Ton

 

I finally got my AUO B173HW01 v4 screen and I just mounted it on my X7200, managed not to break everything. So much better than the previous LG screen LP173WF1, the colors and blacks of this one feel much better and the viewing agles are great. However I noticed that at least 4 pixels don't manage to reach full black levels.. they are not stuck or hot pixels as they can display all colors but if they have to display black or a dark color they just don't go very dark and the best they can do is some faint green. This is hardly noticeable with 2 or 3 of these pixels, only one is more apparent that it's green, but again, you have to have an overall very dark picture to actually realise it, and the pixels are really tiny anyway..

Also, one of these 4 pixels, the one that manages to do the darkest green, actually flickers, like if it's trying to do black really hard but it just can't.

Can these pixels be the result of a not so firm reconnection of the cable at the back of the screen?
Or, if that's got nothing to do with it, I was reading somewhere that hot/stuck pixels can be repaired very easily.. someone know anything about it?

 

With the LVDS interface being digital, it either works or it doesn't. If you had a bad LVDS (LCD ribbon) cable, you would see half the screen missing, two or three colors missing, or long horizontal lines being displayed. The individual pixels are not related and any flaky ones you are seeing are in fact questionable. You can try some utilities found online that will cycle the problem pixels with various [color] signals and hopefully fix them as long as they are not dead or seriously stuck. The B173HW01 v.4 is a pretty screen.

Here is a link to a popular utility: http://www.jscreenfix.com

Scott-

 

Hi Scott.. yes, the pixels are definitely not dead or stuck.. I mean, stuck means that it displays always the same color, right? Cause mines don't.
Anyway, do you recommend any particular utility to try to fix them? As you can see I'm a bit of a n00b in the pixel field..

 

I have finally gotten to use my 7200 for a bit now. In no uncertain terms, the screen is absolute crap. It's terrible. You would have to intentionally try to make one this bad.

The viewing angle is so terrible that if I slouch, the screen darkens 2 full shades of grey. If I sit up straight, it's better, but the top edge of the screen is always shadowed.

And unlike someone who posted earlier in this thread, I specifically asked Xotic what screen I was getting, and they said they could not tell me... It's too bad, because I would have purchased an upgrade from them.

The computer is great otherwise, but the screen is .

Will it void my warranty if I replace screen myself?

 

5 Ways To Fix A Stuck Pixel On Your Screen

I guess you received an "A-" grade screen, which usually has 2~4 light or dark pixel.

Honestly, I would highly recommend you return or exchange the panel if you still can... unless the defect pixels aren't obvious.

I highly doubt the defective pixel can be all fixed. They wouldn't bear a "A-" grade if the defective pixels are result of misconfiguration

 

Slighly off the point here but I see in your sig that you are going to buy the Clevo X7200. Where are you going to buy it? I was all set to order one from Avadirect and then I started to see lots of complaints about them on the web (mostly from the same customer) but complaints nonetheless.

Has anyone here bought from them? Any problems? Any truth to the allegations that they use refurbished hardware and call it new?

I am now faced with the prospect of getting an M18X but the GPU/CPU choices are outdated and the machine is nearly twice the price of the Clevo X7200 or the Mysn XMG u700.

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I was planning on ordering the x7200 from them next week! Would you mind linking to the poor reviews you read? That worries me.

Still though, it doesn't make sense to order an M18x over the x7200 unless you want to pay more for significantly less powerful hardware but a nice screen and backlight keyboard.

If I don't order from AVA I'll order from xotic.

Edit: I was reading over reviews tonight and vendor suggestions and found these guys, who on paper sound pretty amazing! Origin

 

Thanks for your reply. The bad reviews can be found here:

WARNING - AVA Direct nightmare ! - General-Laptops-Notebooks - Laptops-Notebooks

AVADirect-RIPOFF

I'll check out xotic and that other one you recommended. I'm in Europe so I really have to be sure about who I'm ordering from as I would be a lot of hassle to send it back if there were problems, especially if they're the kind of company who don't want go know you after they have your cash.

I'm also going to check out Schenker mysn.com They're XMG U700 looks pretty sweet but their website is in German and hard to find reviews from people who have bought from them.

Edit: Just checked out Origin PC and I'm very impressed. Just need to check them out a bit on the web but their prices look pretty good and they have all the new gear. I think an EON17 may be in my future....

 

Why go with Origin? From what I can tell, their prices run a few hundred more than straight up resellers. XoticPC, MALIBAL, Mythlogic, LPC-Digital, etc are all a bit cheaper. Origin seems to be more like VoodooPC/Falcon Northwest/Digital Storm in that they rebrand the Sagers, do arguably a tiny bit more testing, and sell it for a ton more money as a boutique computer. At least Falcon Northwest offers theirs with a freaking awesome paint job.

 

The x7200 I configured maxed out but with 12gb of ram instead of Origin's max of 24gb ram was $100 cheaper than xoticpc and it included with Origin two Crucial M4's which xotic doesn't even offer yet. So, perhaps with lesser models it is cheaper or if you are considering a cash discount which I haven't asked Origin about yet, but with the high end model I'm considering none of the other resellers are less expensive thus far. Again though, I'm not counting "special" discounts which anyone may or may not offer over the phone.

Origin also offers the paint job, offers free lifetime support and no labor fees, and includes a 45 day no dead pixel guarantee.

So in this situation not only is xotic not cheaper, not counting discounts or price matching, but they don't even offer the same components on their website yet, and Origin offers to find and install *any* component.

Just playing devils advocate to your response, I'd rather buy from any company as long as it's the best quality for the price. I don't have loyalty to Origin or anyone else yet.

 

That specific review you read was replied to by AVA explaining the person on the bad review campaign ended up having the police called on them for harassing AVADirect, and AVA explains all they did to make it right but to no avail as the described "unstable" reviewer couldn't be pleased with free upgrades and products. So that leaves us debating the word of the reviewer's negative review campaign vs AVADirect. It makes it a much harder choice though since other resellers dont seem to have yet had this type of experience. I'm going to check out your other links in a little bit, thanks!

 

Thanks for the advice and the Origin PC suggestion. I think I'm going to go with Origin as they have what I'm looking for a the right price and have no trouble shipping to Europe. It works out to be a great deal for me as I'll be converting the price to €, so it's going to run me about 3000, which is cheaper than an mid-range M17X over here. They also offer some cool paint jobs and custom painting.

 

I would recommend emailing them first with any questions you have. I'm waiting on a response from them from Friday, still not too long of a wait though.

 

Decision firmly made today. I'm going to go with Origin as they will accept credit card payment and ship to Europe.

Avadirect (worryingly) wanted me to pay by wire transfer and organise my own shipping with Fedex to pick up from their shop!!!! Sure, i'll give you my cash straight up with no way to get it back if there are problems and I'll organise the shipping so if it doesn't arrive in 1 piece, I'll have to deal with Fedex. No thanks.